Five Ugly Dog Breeds

Dr. Mark is a veterinarian. He has been working with dogs for more than 40
years.

Ready to fight a bear?

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Are There Really Any Ugly Dogs?

Finding an ugly dog is like finding an ugly baby—someone, somewhere, thinks
the baby is cute! All I can do is present a list of dogs I personally think
are ugly. You might agree, but if you have chosen to give a home to one of
these breeds you probably think I don’t know what I am talking about.

Maybe I don’t. These ugliest dog breeds are subjective. Here’s a list of my
favorite ugly dogs.

A Neapolitan Mastiff. Mom loves this face.

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Neapolitan Mastiff

A lot of dog owners will recognize this dog from the Harry Potter movies, and
I have even included a short clip from that film. If you are looking for
unusual ugliness, excessive drooling, “cherry eye” with eyelids rolling in and
out, and a long body that weighs up to 70 kilograms (over 150 pounds), then
this is the dog for you.

This is probably one of the worst looking guard dogs, but he is certainly not
right for everyone. Neapolitan Mastiffs have to be well socialized but are
still not the friendliest dog, and with their size and power are sure to push
the novice dog owner around. They are a dog for someone who appreciates
solitude and is looking for a companion that needs a facelift.

Most ugly dogs are small, so this dog is special in all kinds of ways. If you
decide that a Neo is right for you, then find a good breeder who has the hips
x-rayed and certified, the eyes checked, and genetic screening done.

Make sure that the breeder does not discriminate against ugly dogs.

A Pug.

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Pug

The stories about Pugs being bred to keep the front line Chinese soldiers
awake during the wars against Mongolian invaders are probably not true, but
this dog does have a powerfully loud snore.

This odd face caught on, and the Chinese dog has been popular in Europe for
hundreds of years. Besides being so ugly that they are cute, Pugs also make
good watchdogs, great family dogs, and excellent jogging partners.

(Okay, they won´t go jogging with you. Their flat faces make breathing
difficult, and they are likely to collapse from heatstroke during your run.)

The best part of owning a Pug seems to be their amazing ability to wiggle
their way into almost any photograph. If you have a camera on your cell phone
or have purchased a digital camera, own lots of props, and are looking for a
photogenic dog that will make every shot you take amusing, be sure to get out
there and find a Pug!

An Affenpinscher.

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Affenpinscher

This little dog is an almost-ugly-champion, and might actually win some of the
ugly contests if he did not have to compete against those pesky Chinese
Cresteds and an occasional Brussels Griffon. Even the name Affenpinscher means
“monkey dog”, and I don’t think it comes from some cute little Squirrel
Monkey! It more likely refers to some ugly little monkey sitting on an organ
grinder, wearing a small red top hat.

This dog is small, wiry, with a harsh coat and legs that are normal but just
don’t appear to be correct. He is only about ten inches tall and anywhere from
6–15 pounds. His ugliest feature is his face, of course. He looks angry, maybe
upset that he has not been able to find any mice or rats, perhaps just mad
about his house being overrun with visitors.

The great thing about the little monkey dog is that he does not shed much. The
dog has a rough coat, but of course, you can get a Miniature Schnauzer or West
Highland Terrier who will not leave hairs all over your house. All dogs shed,
at least a little, and the Affenpinscher is no exception. They have some
health problems and are not a long-lived breed, but although they are not the
most popular little dogs they always seem to be around, so someone out there
must love them!

A Brussels Griffon. Have you ever woke up and felt like this?

cc-by www.flickr.com waycooldogs 4642716812

Brussels Griffon

This little Belgian dog was originally bred to chase rodents, and his face is
definitely scary enough to rid your house of any rats.

Someone has to be very dedicated in order to own one of these little dogs.
Besides being subject to heatstroke, like all little smush-faced dogs (don’t
buy this dog if you want a jogging partner), the Brussels Griffon is also
affected with a disease called syringomyelia, which is a disease where the
dogs have pockets of fluid in the spinal column. They may be fine, may be in
pain when still young, or may start out fine and only develop symptoms later
when they have become part of the family.

The Brussels owners love their ugly dogs for their great heart and
personality, and most multi-dog families are amazed that this small dog is so
interested in dominating larger dogs. If you decide to keep one of these dogs,
you need to be careful she does not get in fights and suffer from eye
injuries. They are prone to scratches on the cornea, lens luxations,
cataracts, and glaucoma.

This breed is not recommended around families, especially with small children.
If you want an ugly little “one-man dog,” however, a Griffon is a great
choice.

Not all Chinese Cresteds look like this.

cc-by www.flickr.com urbanwoodswalker 4835277100

Chinese Crested

This dog is the champion of ugly. It has won the Worlds Ugliest Dog
competition in California almost every year, despite some fierce competition
from breeds of dog that don’t always make the lists. Why do so many judges
think this dog is ugly? The crooked teeth, straggly beard, and hairless body
are powerful statements during the judging. Even their feet are unusual, more
like a rabbit’s foot than a dog’s.

Okay, in all fairness, not all Chinese Cresteds are hairless and ugly. The
hairless trait that makes these dogs so unusual is actually an incomplete
dominant gene, and many of the Chinese Cresteds have full coats (powderpuff
varieties). Not all have a few whiskers sticking out of the rough face,
either. Some look worse.

If you want an ugly little dog (only about 10 pounds) that is fairly healthy
and does not shed (much) and only needs skincare products (sunscreen,
hypoallergenic moisturizers, and products for acne flare-ups) this breed is
the way to go.

If you are fat, bald, have crooked and missing teeth, or a face only a mother
could love, take a look at these breeds. All of these dogs look bad enough to
make their owner look good! (Of course, by that logic you would have to be a
supermodel to walk around with an Afghan hound. I don’t think I would want to
be seen with one!)

You´ve probably already noticed that most of these dogs are small, maybe since
people seem to feel superior having an ugly little dog about the house.

Are you looking for an ugly little dog?

Questions & Answers

Question: What is the cutest dog breed?

Answer: The ugliest dog and the cutest dog are just a matter of opinion.
A lot of people think little smush-faced dogs like Pugs and French Bulldogs
are the cutest.

I think the Corgi is the cutest dog. Their faces are kind of normal but they
look weird on their little bodies. Great combo!

You might enjoy reading this. https://pethelpful.com/dogs/five-cutest-dog-
breeds

Comments

AJ on March 26, 2020:

I for one think Shar-pei’s are adorable! But I gotta agree with you on Pugs!

Hannah on December 23, 2018:

I am a pug owner, and i have to say that they get a lot of hate. They are so
sweet and each one has a different personality. They are adorable, and they
are very wise. They can beg almost anything out of me with those cute faces.

Holly on April 11, 2018:

Personally, I think Pugs are cute… I was thinking about getting an
Affenspincher, but I am going to get a Chihuahua instead.

I hope.

audree on January 10, 2018:

i have a Brussels griffin with may family she doesn’t like other dogs but
loves us

Martine on July 18, 2015:

my pug is an amazing jogging partner! Is it is not too hot or too cold outside
she loves to join for a run!

Eva on February 22, 2015:

18 years is a bit old to start, but it’s perfectly fine as far as the rules
go. If you are tilkang aobut conformation, like you see on Animal Planet’s
Eukanuba Cup, 6 months is the minimum.Aside to Dane Lover:Don’t tell the
shelties that! I know quite a few 12 year olds that love to strut in the
veterans classes! LOL Shelties don’t believe in retirement. They’ll herd you
around at 15 years as well as 15 months. I think as long as the dog and owner
are having fun, age is no obstacle. Jennifer T

belleart from Ireland on November 21, 2013:

AAAhhhh, I love them all!! soo beautiful, really puts a smile on my face 🙂

^^ on February 23, 2013:

I actually think that “AKC standard” Chinese Cresteds are gorgeous… That’s a
far cry from the ones that win the “World’s Ugliest Dog” competitions, though
XD

Dr Mark (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on December 18,
2012:

A Brussels Griffon does not look much like a wolf, does it? Hard to believe
they share any DNA.

Melissa A Smith from New York on December 17, 2012:

What humans have done to wolves through selective breeding is both amazing and
appalling at the same time. I don’t see the appeal of pugs.